Oil leak

[jglasgow]

This is my first post and need a little help. I have a 2004 HO 4x4 lwb with auto tran and 6000 miles. I have an oil leak on the front of the transmission at what I'm calling an inspection port. I took off the 3 screws and looked inside and it's definitely engine oil, not transmission fluid. It's not a lot but there shouldn't be any. Any ideas what this might be from? I'm going to see the dealer Monday morning. Thanks in advance, John

 

[rbattelle]

The "port" plate you removed sounds like the hole on the passenger side where a starter could be mounted. Since the starter is on the other side, I suppose it's good to call it an "inspection" port. (Speaking of that, does anyone know if the starter is located on the opposite side on other applications of this engine?).



The severity of the oil leak will indicate whether this is something that actually needs to be repaired. It could be a bit of seepage from the rear main, which I would consider normal for an engine with your mileage. It could also be blowby from the crankcase vent tube mounted atop the valve cover.



Is it making drips on the driveway? If I were you, I wouldn't let the dealer actually make any repairs on it (unless he says you've got a totally blown rear main... unlikely). Rather, I'd let them document it and then drive it and see if it gets better or worse over time. Remember, you're covered on the engine until 100K and on the powertrain until 70K.



On edit: and welcome aboard!

 

[Tony T.]

Vent Tube

Probably the oil your seeing is coming from the vent tube hanging down on the drivers side of the engine, toward the back of engine, this is normal. The earlier CTD had a catch bottle to take care of this.

 

[jglasgow]

I'm pretty sure it's the rear main seal, the vent tube is still as clear as the day I got it. When I removed the plate I could see the bottom of the fly wheel and there was just a small amount of oil. I appreciate your replies to my post and I will run it by the dealership next week to have it documented. Thanks again, John

 

[2ndgen2500]

john a friend of mine so far, has had his trans seal, transfer case, and rear diff all replaced on his 04... not sure why but just passing on the news...

 

[p-Bar]

While changing oil on my 04. 5 I also noticed seepage at the front of the trans by the T/C cover plate. I had a 99 gas and had the same problem, of course the service writer blew me off but I think I am going to make a stand this time. If anyone else has had this problem what was the response by the service writer?? and did you have to go up the food chain??